ffdh win championships

Week Seven R.B.s

What a wierd and wonderful season.

A moment of reflection at the halfway point of the season. Defenses have plenty of film to study and the O-lines are gelling.

It's time to watch the injuries closely as they will determine the outcome of games.

Running games should re-emerge as the accolytes of the football gods return to the basics.

Hopefully, you have locked up good running backs by this time. Travis Henry looks like the last real prospect of the season baring injury to a starter.

However, Najeh Davenport is starting to emerge as the Bettis threat and with Pittsburgh beginning to take control could become a serious contributor.

Noah Herron has been mostly picked up, but, Ahman Green will start the next game. It's only a matter of time before he goes down again.

Keep an eye on Justin Fargas, if Lamont Jordan continues to disappoint; the towel teething tantrum aside, he's got a lot more heart and desire.

Leon Washington could be the man in Jet-land, and, stashing DeAngelo Williams on your I.R. is not a bad idea.

Watch the waiver wire for stupid drops. As some owners will need to trim rosters or will simply get disillusioned with unproductive backs.

Trades should be weighed carefully when giving up a back as they have a higher rate of attrition then receivers.

If Thomas Jones is dropped grab him as Chicago's schedule is so weak he will certainly perform later.

Michael Robinson may come available and he too should be grabbed as Gore is often injured and he is gaining the respect of everyone.

I'll grab some props for not having D.D. in my top 25 and for dropping E. James from the top ten. And, I'll take my lumps for not recognizing Lamont Jordan's fall. I did say that Clinton Portis would probably out-perform at least one or even two of the top three and this now looks prescient. Don't give up on Rudi Johnson just yet.

I just didn't believe in Willie Parker and have always worried about Westbrook's health.

Maurice Jones-Drew should be on teams by now and if he isn't get him now. He seems to be the focal point for the scoring offense and somehow this could have been predicted.

Tatum Bell is poised for a great second half and Jamal Lewis will benefit from Billick taking over the offense. I still think Dillon will rise and Barlow will fall. Keep an eye on Brandon Jacobs if he isn't too hurt.

It must be nice to have so much money that you can buy a talent like T.J. Ducket and stash him on the bench just to keep him away from other quality teams.

File him away as a fantasy stud next year with a new team.

fourth week update

I realize it's torturous for all those who drafted Culpepper and Chambers, but, they are coming together and will gel into the second half of the season.

That said, I've drafted back-ups.

Ronnie Brown is not that game changing, take control back everyone is hoping he would be. He will score, but, Culpepper needs to find his rhythm.

The defense is still stout, though soft in the secondary. The schedule is mediocre at best so the right match-ups will be key.

fourth week update

Don't worry about Larry Johnson. With Green out, Edwards will have to buckle down quit experimenting and run the ball. "You play to run in the game!" Kansas City is still a potent team and will find their pride and soon enough will 'play to win'.

The receivers will suffer as will Gonzales, Huard is a career back-up.

As they begin to score then Tynes will score as well.

The Chief's defense is  a hit or miss group and not to be trusted week to week.

Kinneson has been dropped or will be dropped soon and he is setting up to be a potent second half sleeper.

fourth week update

Hmm. A good team and yet...

Leftwich is simply not a quarterback that will take you to a Superbowl. He's a competent back-up. In fact, if he went down they would win more games as the actual back-up is a better game manager.

Fred Taylor is a fantasy disappointment. After one promising break-out year he has been drafted and drafted as each new owner falls into the luring, seductive trap of his obvious potential.

At best he's an option as Maurice Jones-Drew solidifies his great desire into a promising career.

These two are a study in contrasts. One an aging underachiever with a perfect running-back's body. The other an undersized rookie hungry for more then the money, for the respect of his peers.

If your running-back options are weak then get Jones-Drew because he will score.

Leftwich just can't find his receivers consistently. He has good ones too. Ernest Wilford, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, all young and talented. All fantasy duds.

Leftwich just can't seem to read defenses and execute complicated plays. He was the courageous college quarterback who was carried by teammates between plays. He was a McNabb, another Culpepper, he was part of the new mold of quarterbacks; the large, strong, athletic gridiron gods.

But, Leftwich is no McNabb.

The schedule is difficult and too often the offense will falter and the defense will be left trying to overcompensate.

I'm not excited about the kicker here either.

week four update

I'm not impressed with Dominic Rhodes or Joseph Addai. Without James the smallish o-line is being exposed. Peyton Manning is throwing all over the end-zone and looking a lot like Tom Brady. I expect an eligible lineman to catch a T.D. this week.

Harrison seems to be feeling the aftereffects of off-season surgeries, and old age. Wayne seems to be the decoy and Dallas Clark the recipient of a touchdown every other week.

The schedule is full of patsies so the defense will be a good play against the right match-ups; but, without James to grind the ball, scoring possessions will take less time allowing the defense more chances to relax and fail.

The kicking game was supposed to be solid, but, that didn't happen. Don't always run away from the back-up though, as they can produce.

All the stars will be fine here.

week four update

Stay away from this running game. They couldn't keep Carr up-right and can't open holes either. A big I-told-you-so on D.D., 'nuff said. Carr is a seasoned vet, at this point and could be a decent start against weaker foes.

Andre Johnson is solidly on someone else's team and proving why he's a perennial cannon-fodder-player for me in drafts.

Eric Moulds is a stud and will have a few games.

The fantasy 'hm' here are the tight ends. Both have two touchdowns already. They could both be favorable fill-in plays. Owen Daniels is getting more looks, but, Mark Bruener is a vet and always a red-zone threat.

With everyone watching the wide-outs the tight ends are cleaning up.

Skip the defense and kicker here.

week four update

Brett Favre never went anywhere. He has a soft schedule and you can expect more good games from him. The rabid press has been ravaging him lately and some dropped him last week. Grab him and hold on if your playing a mediocre starter right now.

The running game is in shambles while Vernand Morency learns the cut blocking running attack. Noah Herron is just too small and not talented enough to be fantasy valuable this year and yet both of them will start to keep some defenses honest.

Donald Driver is the main man and will produce. Greg Jennings is the rare N.F.L. ready receiver Green Bay needed after the Javon Walker garbage. He is a star. Catch him if you can.

Robert Ferguson will get something eventually so look for the teams that have a star or two on their cover team, but, drop off in talent after that. Green Bay has so many favorable match-ups that Ferguson could be looked at during the bye weeks. Any of the next four could work.

Keep an eye on Koren Robinson. He will be serving a suspension, but, how soon?

The defense is a desperate fill-in. However any Favre tight end is worth looking at to strike gold.

Ahman Green is on a team and injured. he is simply too old.

The kicker could fill-in but there are better options.

week four update

Kevin Jones finally breaks out! With a favorable schedule he should continue to be a solid play. Kitna is competent but small and the Lions know that they have got to keep defenses off him. A balanced attack wins games.

Roy Williams will continue to be a solid play. Corey Bradford has fallen out of favor. Mike Williams is starting to come on. M.W. is saying the right things to the press and the coach likes him.

I can't figure why Bradford isn't stepping up but it kind of figures as he came from a loser where he underperformed. He seems to be skating on talent and collecting a check.

If Mike Williams steps up and takes over the #2 it will make him valuable and solidify Roy Williams.

Watch if the team picks up Darius Watts he could be a factor in the second half.

Neither the defense, tight end nor kicker are worth picking up here.

Week Three Update

In Shanahan we trust.

Tatum Bell will get his legs and run this season. I still believe in him.

Mike Bell is succombing to injury and fumblitis.

Neither is the answer and look for Shanahan to draft either more lineman or a new back next year.

He has had a brain drain, but, will still challenge for the division title.

Walker is stepping up and will be a fantasy force before the season is over.

Plummer can do the job and a vote of confidence from his coach might help. If they keep him in check and rotate their backs, including Cobbs, then they will be allright.

After the bend, but, don't break that held Johnson lat week you have to consider the defense as a contender.

After New England and Baltimore the Oakland and Cleveland games look juicy.

Week Three Update

T.O. your breaking my heart, your breaking my heart and I called it all the way...oh oh oh

Terry Glenn is looking good.

Bledsoe will come around.

The defense is solid. The coach is smart.

Julius Jones and Marion Barber are a good tandem, but, neither is good alone.

Though, Jones is looking better this year. He seems to be running with fire and purpose.

Patrick Crayton is a good fill-in and may be a decent need pick-up.